Multistability Analysis for the Compliant Four-Fold Bricard Loops

Threefold over-constrained Bricard mechanisms can be widely used in areas such as deployable mechanism, origami mechanism and compliant mechanisms. However, the triangular topology of this structures cannot meet all the practical stresses and have less application flexibility than quadrilateral. This paper presents, models and analyses the compliant multistable four-fold Bricard mechanisms. First, mechanism prototype is analyzed, including the DOF analysis, the kinematics model and the kinematics relationship. Second, multistable behaviors of the proposed mechanism are analyzed using a energy related method. At last, prototype devices and potential applications are prospected for the proposed Bricard loops.